Drain trough

ABSTRACT

A sheet metal downspout drain trough is disclosed having an open front for drainage of water therethrough and having a bottom wall, a backwall, and a pair of sidewalls foldably connected to opposite side edges of the bottom wall. Each of the sidewalls has a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from the top ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for the trough. Integral anchoring means is provided on at least one of the supporting legs for anchoring the trough to the ground beneath an associated downspout and integral anchoring tongues may also be provided extending from the bottom wall to anchor the front end of the drain trough in position.

Watts 1451 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] DRAIN TROUGH 2,782,561 2/1957 Smith ..47/25 Inventor: Richard M- wans Henrico y, Va. 3,048,983 8/1962 Crummel ..61/l5 [73] Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Primary Emmi"e'D3Vid wimamowsky V Assistant Examiner-David H. Corbin Filed: J 70 Attorney-Glenn, Palmer, Lyne, Gibbs & Thompson 211 Appl. No.: 6,740 1 1 ABSTRACT A sheet metal downspout drain trough is disclosed having an 521 US. Cl ..94/33, 61/15 1" fmm dainage hereihmugh and having a [5 1] Int. Cl 11/2y Eozb 9/04 bottom wall, a backwall, and a pair of sidewalls foidably con- [58] Field 6: Search ..61 10, 14, 15, 18; 94/33; Opposite side edges Wall- Each 52/16; 47/25 sidewalls has a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from the top ridge and outwardly of its associated 5 References Cited sidewall to define a supporting leg for the trough. Integral anchoring means is provided on at least one of the supporting UNITED STATES PATENTS legs for anchoring the trough to the ground beneath an associated downspout and integral anchoring tongues may also Scanland et a] be provided extending from the bottom wall to anchor the 986,940 3/1911 61/10 X front end of the drain trough in pos1t1on. 2,334,779 11/1943 Luff ..94/33 7 Chims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED JANZS I972 INVENTOR.

M. WATTS D R A H n b C HIS ATTORNEYS DRAIN TROUGII BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There have been many types of downspout drain troughs proposed previously. Some of these previous drain troughs are made of materials such as concrete, which are heavy to handle and are easily cracked or broken. Others of these previous drain troughs are made of metallic materials and are either comparatively expensive, because they are unnecessarily complicated, or they are constructed so that they are difficult to support in position in a stable manner.

SUMMARY This invention provides a one-piece sheet metal downspout drain trough which is of simple and economical construction and has an open front for drainage of water therethrough, a bottom wall, a backwall, and a pair of sidewalls foldably connected to opposite side edges of the bottom wall. Each of the sidewalls has a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from the ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for the trough and integral means is provided in at least one of the supporting legs for anchoring the trough to the ground with optimum stability. Integral means may be provided for stabilizing the front end of the trough in the ground and openings may also be provided in the bottom wall adjacent the open end to allow some of the water received in the trough to flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground prior to flowing through the open end.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiment thereof presented in the accompanying drawing proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing illustrates one exemplary embodiment of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a sheet metal drain trough arranged in position beneath an associated downspout of a building;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drain trough illustrated in FIG. 1 with a rear portion thereof broken away to illustrate the manner in which a backwall thereof is fastened in position and also particularly illustrating integral means provided in downward extensions of each sidewall for anchoring the drain trough into the ground;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view with parts shown in cross section and parts shown in elevation and taken essentially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view looking at the open ends of a plurality of drain troughs which are substantially identical to the drain trough of FIG. 1 and which have been stacked in nested relation.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawing which illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a sheet metal drain trough l0 anchored in position to the ground beneath a downspout 11 which is suitably fixed to an associated building 12. The downspout 11 has an outlet 13 which directs water from the downspout 11 away from the building and onto the drain trough in a well-known manner.

The drain trough 10 has a bottom wall 14 and a pair of sidewalls, each designated by the same reference numeral 15, foldably connected to opposite side edges 16 of the bottom wall, see FIG. 4. Each sidewall has an arcuate top ridge 17 and an extension 20 which extends downwardly from the top ridge 17 and outwardly of its associated sidewall 15 to define a supporting leg, which will also be referred to as supporting leg 20.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, each extension or supporting leg 20 has integral means in the form of a plurality of saw-toothed projections 21 which define the lower edge thereof and enable the supporting leg 20 to be easily inserted into the ground as shown at 22 in FIG. 1. Thus, the projections 21 are used to anchor the drain trough l0 finnly in position. Saw-toothed projections 21 enable the forming of adjoining troughs from a single sheet of metal with little or no scrap metal; however, it will be appreciated that any suitable integral anchoring means or anchor may be provided in the lower portion of either one or both of the supporting legs 20 and each anchor need not necessarily be in the form of a sawtoothed projection.

The drain trough 10 also has a backwall 23 foldably connected to and extending upwardly from a back end edge 24 of its bottom wall 14, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The backwall 23 cooperates with the sidewalls l5 and bottom wall 14 to define trough 10 having an open front and such open front allows water received within the trough from the downspout 11 to drain therethrough. To assure easy drainage, the bottom wall may be constructed so that it slopes forwardly with the lower edges of the legs 20 arranged horizontally. However, the bottom wall may be arranged so that it too is horizontal with the lower edges of legs 20 arranged horizontally whereby forward sloping is achieved simply by pushing the front portions of legs 20 into the ground a greater distance than the rear portions.

The backwall 23 terminates in an upwardly convex surface 28 and the surface 28 and ridges 17 are arranged an equal height above the bottom wall 14. The backwall 23 also has a pair of integral flaplike extensions or flaps 25 foldably connected to its opposite side edges 26 and each flat 25 is suitably fastened to an associated sidewall 15 by an anchor 27. Each anchor 27 may be in the form of a spot weld, sheet metal screw, separate rivet, or an integral rivet formed by punching an opening through each flap 25 and its sidewall 15 with the fiat folded into position and then riveting the displaced metal created by the punching action in position to form a rivetlike head.

As previously mentioned, each sidewall 15 has an integral top ridge l7 and such top ridge is preferably in the form of a smooth outwardly convex arcuate ridge which as seen at 30 in FIG. 4 is substantially semicircular in cross section and hence semicylindrical. Each supporting leg 20 also preferably flares outwardly from its associated sidewall 15 at an angle as indicated at 31 whereby the supporting legs 20 provide a broad stable base for the drain trough 10.

It will also be noted from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the sidewalls 15 flare or diverge upwardly from the bottom wall 14. This upward flaring also enables a plurality of identical drain troughs 10 to be easily stacked in nested relation as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing.

The drain trough 10 has a plurality of roughly wedge-shaped cuts 32 provided in its bottom wall 14 with the metal indicated at 33, FIGS. 2 and 3, which is normally arranged within the wedge-shaped out being pushed downwardly transverse the plane of the bottom wall and a corresponding plurality of anchoring tongues which will also be designated by the reference numeral 33. The tongues 33 of this example extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall and serve to anchor the front end of the drain trough 10 to assure that it is not easily dislodged by an external blow such as a person kicking the forward end of the drain trough or by the onrush of water from the downspout 11. The openings 34 defined by bending tongues 33 downwardly allow some of the water received in the trough to flow through such openings and start soaking into the ground prior to flowing through the open end of the trough.

Drain trough 10 is also preferably provided with a plurality of projections 35 each extending upwardly from the plane or top surface of the bottom wall 14 and such projections are preferably formed as integral convolutions in the bottom wall in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. Each convolution 35 extends across the full width of the bottom wall and the openings 34 are arranged between each immediately adjacent pair of convolutions. The convolutions 35 interrupt the water flowing along the bottom wall 14 toward the open end of the drain trough l and assure that some of the water is forced to flow through the openings 34 to start the soaking action into the ground.

in this example of the invention, the convolutions 35 with the openings 34 arranged therebetween are provided adjacent the forward end of the drain trough however, it will be appreciated that such convolutions and openings may extend over the major portion of the bottom wall in any desired manner. Further, the convolutions 35 may be formed in any desired pattern or configuration and need not necessarily extend across the full width of the bottom wall.

The wedge-shaped cuts 32 provided in the bottom wall 14 of the drain trough 10 are shown as being substantially V- shaped to thereby provide, in each instance, a sharp point as shown at 36 on the associated tongie 33 which may be easily forced into the ground. However, it will be appreciated that the cut 32 may be arrowhead shaped, U-shaped, semicircular, or some other suitable configuration whereby the tongue 33 defined thereby would have a corresponding configuration and could still be forced into the ground to stabilize the front end of its associated drain trough.

The sheet metal drain trough 10 may be made of any suitable metallic material. However, because of the light weight and high strength of aluminum, the trough 10 is preferably made of a metallic material containing aluminum, such as a suitable aluminum alloy, which has its exterior surface suitably protected against corrosion. In addition, it will be appreciated that the exposed surfaces of the drain trough may be suitably colored, such as green, for example, and provided with a stuccolike surface texture, or the like. The color and surface texture of the trough 10 may also be matched with the drain trough 11 and the eaves trough of an associated building for optimum aesthetic appeal. v

The forward top comer of the drain trough in the area where a sidewall 15 and its associated extension meet and define arcuate ridge 17, is preferably rounded as shown at 37 in FIG. 2 to eliminate a sharp edge. Further, it will be appreciated that it may be desired to provide an end guard such as on end guard 40 made of an elastomeric material, which may be easily slid into position and suitably fastened as by adhesive means, riveting, or the like.

The drain trough 10 may be more easily inserted in the ground when the ground is wet; however, it has sufficient strength and rigidity to enable its projections 21 and anchors 33 to be firmly embedded even into dry ground or soil without damage thereto.

Thus, it is seen that the drain trough 10 of this invention is made as a single, one piece construction, is lightweight, and has high strength.

In addition, the drain trough is easily anchored in position by saw-toothed projections 21 and may have its forward end provided with stabilizing anchors 33 and drainage openings 34 in the manner previously described.

While a present exemplary embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

' 1 A sheet metal downspout drain trough comprising, a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely arranged side edges and a pair of oppositely arranged end edges, a pair of sidewalls each foldably connected to and extending upwardly from an associated side edge, each of said sidewalls having a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from said ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for said trough, a backwall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from one of said end edges, said backwall cooperating with said bottom wall and sidewalls to define said trough, said trough having an open forward end which allows water received therein to drain therethrough, at least-one integral projection in each of said supporting legs for anchoring said trough to the ground, each of said integral projections being defined as a single unit with its associated supporting leg, and a plurality of openings in said bottom wall adjacent said open end, said openings allowing some of the water received in said trough to flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground prior to flowing through said open end.

2. A drain trough as set forth in claim I and further comprising a plurality of roughly wedge-shaped cuts in said bottom wall adjacent said forward end wherein the metal arranged within each cut is pushed downwardly and is transverse the plane of said bottom wall to define said plurality of openings and simultaneously define a corresponding plurality of anchoring tongues which are used to stabilize said trough.

3. A drain trough as set forth in claim 2 in which each of said wedge-shaped cuts comprises a substantially V-shaped cut defining a corresponding V-shaped anchoring tongue.

4. A drain trough as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of ridges extending upwardly from said bottom wall transverse and between said sidewalls with each of said plurality of openings being arranged upstream of an associated ridge, said ridges assuring water is forced to flow through said openings.

5. A sheet metal downspout drain trough comprising, a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely arranged side edges and a pair of oppositely arranged end edges, a pair of sidewalls each foldably connected to and extending upwardly from an associated side edge, each of said sidewalls having a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from said ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for said trough, a backwall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from one of said end edges, said backwall cooperating with said bottom wall and sidewalls to define said trough, said trough having an open forward end which allows water received therein to drain therethrough, integral means in at least one of said supporting legs for anchoring said trough to the ground, a plurality of projections extending upwardly from said bottom wall, and a plurality of openings arranged between said projections, said projections assuring water is forced to flow through said openings and said openings assuring some of the water received in said trough will flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground prior to flowing through said open end, said plurality of projections comprising a plurality of ridges each defined by a convolution in said bottom wall and each extending transverse and between said sidewalls across the full width of said bottom wall, said openings being arranged between each immediately adjacent pair of convolutions.

6. A sheet metal downspout drain trough comprising, a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely arranged side edges and a pair of oppositely arranged end edges, a pair of sidewalls each foldably connected to and extending upwardly from an associated side edge, each of said sidewalls having a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from said ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for said trough, a backwall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from one of said end edges, said backwall cooperating with said bottom wall and sidewalls to define said trough, said trough having an open forward end which allows water received therein to drain therethrough, and a plurality of anchoring tongues extending downwardly from said bottom wall, said anchoring tongues being adapted to be urged into the ground to help hold said trough in position, said plurality of anchoring tongues being defined by a corresponding plurality of roughly wedged-shaped cuts in said bottom wall wherein the metal arranged within each cut is pushed downwardly and is transverse the plane of said bottom wall to define said plurality of tongues and simultaneously define a corresponding plurality of openings in said bottom wall, said openings allowing some of the water received in said trough to flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground before reaching said open end.

7. A drain trough as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising integral means in said supporting legs for anchoring said trough to the ground, said integral means being defined solely by cutouts in said supporting legs.

* v a x 1: 5 

1. A sheet metal downspout drain trough comprising, a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely arranged side edges and a pair of oppositely arranged end edges, a pair of sidewalls each foldably connected to and extending upwardly from an associated side edge, each of said sidewalls having a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from said ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for said trough, a backwall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from one of said end edges, said backwall cooperating with said bottom wall and sidewalls to define said trough, said trough having an open forward end which allows water received therein to drain therethrough, at least one integral projection in each of said supporting legs for anchoring said trough to the ground, each of said integral projections being defined as a single unit with its associated supporting leg, and a plurality of openings in said bottom wall adjacent said open end, said openings allowing some of the water received in said trough to flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground prior to flowing through said open end.
 2. A drain trough as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of roughly wedge-shaped cuts in said bottom wall adjacent said forward end wherein the metal arranged within each cut is pushed downwardly and is transverse the plane of said bottom wall to define said plurality of openings and simultaneously define a corresponding plurality of anchoring tongues which are used to stabilize said trough.
 3. A drain trough as set forth in claim 2 in which each of said wedge-shaped cuts comprises a substantially V-shaped cut defining a corresponding V-shaped anchoring tongue.
 4. A drain trough as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of ridges extending upwardly from said bottom wall transverse and between said sidewalls with each of said plurality of openings being arranged upstream of an associated ridge, said ridges assuring water is forced to flow through said openings.
 5. A sheet metal downspout drain trough comprising, a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely arranged side edges and a pair of oppositely arranged end edges, a pair of sidewalls each foldably connected to and extending upwardly from an associated side edge, each of said sidewalls having a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from said ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for said trough, a backwall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from one of said end edges, said backwall cooperating with said bottom wall and sidewalls to define said trough, said trough having an open forward end which allows water received therein to drain therethrough, integral means in at least one of said supporting legs for anchoring said trough to the ground, a plurality of projections extending upwardly from said bottom wall, and a plurality of openings arranged between said projections, said projections assuring water is forced to flow through said openings and said openings assuring some of the water received in said trough will flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground prior to flowing through said open end, said plurality of projections comprising a plurality of ridges each defined by a convolution in said bottom wall and each extending transverse and between said sidewalls across the full width of said bottom wall, said openings being arraNged between each immediately adjacent pair of convolutions.
 6. A sheet metal downspout drain trough comprising, a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely arranged side edges and a pair of oppositely arranged end edges, a pair of sidewalls each foldably connected to and extending upwardly from an associated side edge, each of said sidewalls having a top ridge and an extension which extends downwardly from said ridge and outwardly of its associated sidewall to define a supporting leg for said trough, a backwall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from one of said end edges, said backwall cooperating with said bottom wall and sidewalls to define said trough, said trough having an open forward end which allows water received therein to drain therethrough, and a plurality of anchoring tongues extending downwardly from said bottom wall, said anchoring tongues being adapted to be urged into the ground to help hold said trough in position, said plurality of anchoring tongues being defined by a corresponding plurality of roughly wedged-shaped cuts in said bottom wall wherein the metal arranged within each cut is pushed downwardly and is transverse the plane of said bottom wall to define said plurality of tongues and simultaneously define a corresponding plurality of openings in said bottom wall, said openings allowing some of the water received in said trough to flow therethrough and start soaking into the ground before reaching said open end.
 7. A drain trough as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising integral means in said supporting legs for anchoring said trough to the ground, said integral means being defined solely by cutouts in said supporting legs. 